Chapter 7
Erik and Charles sat in silence as they travelled back to the mansion, inside Erik put a finger to his lips seeing his son and Hank asleep on the couch, cuddling with the TV still running. Charles switched off the TV and Erik covered the boys with the throw from the back of the couch. Charles hugged Erik, "come on, it's been a long night." He said quietly tugging Erik by the hand to the room they had been staying in together. "You seem a little stressed," Charles said softly to Erik once they were alone.
"Just thinking about what happened tonight. I mean, he's a priest and he brought you a 15 year old to fuck? Charles that's sick."
"I know and we took care of it and took her home."
"Shouldn't we be calling the police?"
"It would never stand; firstly the place is run by and has the highest members of society. Second, technically nothing illegal happened."
"Charles she was underage."
"And she went home virginity intact from a place that doesn't exist."
"So is that OK in your world Charles? Is it OK to bring underage kids to the club?"
"No, look, Erik I didn't know how old she was until I asked her, she looked at least Hank's age. Warren arranged it, apparently it was her reward of some sort."
"What is the matter with those people?"
"Look Erik I would love nothing more than to have Warren arrested for what he did but there is nothing we can do. I'm sorry." Erik sighed and sat on the bed.
"Look it's late, and I don't want to believe it but you're right. Get plenty of rest Charles, I wasn't going to tell you because I know how you get but there's a book signing tomorrow."
"A what?"
"Signing you and your fans, you're also going to read an approved section from the next book. Approved by me." He added. "Charles please; I know how you feel about them, Hank warned me weeks ago but we have to stir up some coverage if you want this book to sell."
"Erik it's not the signing it's the fans. They think that just because they read my books they know me; honestly it's the worst part of the job." Charles sulked in the mirror having just brushed his teeth.
"But it's your job and you have to do it," Erik said stepping behind him, hugging him he kissed his cheek.
"Well I suppose I could be persuaded." He chuckled turning in Erik's arms to kiss him. Erik broke the kiss.
"Now, bed, go."
"Yes Sir," Charles winked.
"To sleep." Charles sulked as Erik chuckled.
The next morning Hank dropped Pietro off and headed to his own classes while Charles and Erik prepared for the book signing in the study finding something socially acceptable to read in public. After much debate Charles relented to nothing of a sinister nature and they set off to the book store where Hank was waiting. Charles made his escape to prepare, upstairs, where nobody of his genre would think to look for him. The Children's books. He browsed the shelves; trying to calm his nerves when he felt a tug on his jacket. Looking down he saw two large green eyes looking up at him. "Can you read Mr?" The small blonde child asked.
"I can indeed," he smiled.
"Can you read this to me? My mom sent me up here while she sawed a writer person?" Charles smiled.
"I suppose five minutes won't hurt, what do you have there?" He asked taking the book. He sat on a cushion in the reading area the small girl knelt by his side so she could see the picture and he began. "At the far end of town where the Grickle-grass grows and the wind smells slow-and-sour when it blows and no birds ever sing excepting old crows..."
Down stairs Erik made last minute checks before looking for Charles on the lower level but he couldn't find him. "Hank have you seen Charles?"
"Well he hasn't left I had security make it impossible. Have you tried upstairs?"
"It's the kids' books."
"Yeah, some of his favourite books are kids' books, just don't tell him I told you that," Hank said grinning. Erik ascended the stairs as he neared the top he could already hear Charles' voice. He looked around and found him surrounded by six small children and a few adults. "Catch! calls the Once-ler.
He lets something fall.
It's a Truffula Seed.
It's the last one of all!
You're in charge of the last of the Truffula Seeds.
And Truffula Trees are what everyone needs.
Plant a new Truffula. Treat it with care.
Give it clean water. And feed it fresh air.
Grow a forest. Protect it from axes that hack.
Then the Lorax
and all of his friends
may come back." Charles read showing the pictures to the children and closing the book. "Thank you everyone now if you'll excuse me I think I'm needed, keep reading though it's a very good habit to get into." He smiled giving the book back to the small blonde girl.
"Children's books?"
"What?"
"Nothing I just never pegged you as a Seuss fan," he smiled, "come on we're getting started."
Charles' reading went well but still to come was the part he was dreading, the book signing with meet-and-greet. For the most part the signing was going OK bar a few nerves from Charles when some people asked anything too personal. Hank was stood with Erik, surveying the crowd and listening in on Charles and talking. "So you're 19, college?"
"I know you think I'm stringing Pietro along, because I'm older than him but you're wrong. I don't know what he sees in me but I know what I see in him. He's a good guy and I like him. I really, really do."
"I believe you but Hank, he gets hurt? You're looking at the consequences."
"Understood."
"Hi how are you?"
"I'm good."
"Wonderful, thank you for coming out today, should I make it out to you or do you have anything you'd like?"
"How about 'To my number one fan; fuck you,'" he reached into his jacket and pulled out a filthy knife. "Then sign it in blood," he said, Charles pushed back out of his seat and Hank and Erik stood between him and the guy. Before anything else could happen a security member was present and Erik escorted Charles away into an office while the problem was dealt with.
"So… I completely understand your objections to book signings." Erik said trying to make light of what happened while Charles was staring off into space. Erik couldn't blame him.
"Believe it or not worse has happened before." Charles said distantly. For the first time since they got in the room Erik really looked at him. Charles was pale, he had beads of sweat on his forehead and his hands were shaking. It really sank in; he could have been killed or seriously injured if he had been stabbed with that blade. Slowly he approached where he sat on the desk and stood in front of him, taking his shaking hands. Charles stood and hugged Erik, tucking himself under his chin Erik held him close everything had happened so quickly things barely registered with the editor. There was a knock on the door and Hank entered.
"He's been arrested, they want a statement but only when you're ready. I gave them the number for the house, the store is clear and the car is 'round back."
"Hank you drive, he's in no fit state."
They got Charles home with no problems and he went to his study alone. Erik asked Hank to pick his son up while he attempted to get through to Charles. The man sat at his desk and read through book after book on his shelf, not just any books either. Dr Seuss from start to end. He'd asked Hank about it and he repeated his earlier statement. "It calms him down." Charles fell asleep at his desk so Erik moved him to his bed and left him to sleep. The three watched a movie in the lounge and Erik's presence prompted the teenagers to retain a respectable distance between them. Near the end of the second movie a body sat by Erik, leaning on his shoulder. Erik smiled pulling Charles to his side, running his fingers through his hair.
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"Just being here."
"I'll always be here for you."
